CSNNE's Jessica Camerato wrote a piece yesterday about Jared Sullinger's recovery from back surgery. Sullinger's progress is on schedule, and he is expected to be ready for training camp next season. He's actively rehabbing now, but it sounds like the past few months were pretty difficult for the rookie, who's 21st birthday came shortly after being operated on:

"I had to wait nine weeks after surgery to begin working out. I couldn't even tell you what I did. I was pretty much on bed rest. I could walk around at times, but I pretty much didn't do anything. I had way too much free time, it was just crazy. I've watched 'The Lion King' four times (since surgery). Rafiki the monkey makes me laugh. It was a family movie when I was growing up. I like it because it teaches you you can always overcome. I'm like Simba."

Camerato also shares Sullinger's thoughts on the help he's gotten from Kevin Garnett, and the bond he and Rajon Rondo have formed while sidelined together:

On Garnett - "He still helps me out, we're constantly talking. Defensively, offensively, he keeps me in tune what the team has, what we need to do, what we don't need to do."

On Rondo - "This is my first surgery and he went through his first surgery. We both say, 'Let's get back. Let's get back as healthy as we can.' It helps me a lot. At the same time, it's kind of sad. It's something you don't want to have in common, especially with someone like Rondo with the way his season was going."

Best of luck to you Jared in the rest of your recovery this offseason, and can't wait to see you back on the floor next fall.